Inquest into Death of Perpetrator in James Smith Cree Nation Killings Set to Begin

Three weeks after a coroner’s inquest into the tragic events that unfolded in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, resulting in the death of 11 individuals, a public inquiry into the passing of the individual responsible is slated to commence in Saskatoon.

The inquiry into the death of Myles Sanderson, who was the perpetrator of the violent attacks on James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon communities, leading to the loss of 11 lives and injuries to 17, is scheduled to begin on Monday in Saskatoon.

Myles Sanderson, a 32-year-old man, carried out a stabbing rampage in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon on September 4, 2022, marking a tragic day in the history of these communities. His arrest resulted in his death while in police custody on September 7, 2022, at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

The coroner’s inquest, overseen by lawyer Robert Kennedy, will aim to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Sanderson’s death, with a focus on the events leading up to the heinous crimes he committed and his subsequent passing while under police custody.

Under the provisions of the provincial Coroners Act in Saskatchewan, a public inquiry is mandated into the demise of any individual who dies while in custody unless natural causes that were not preventable are determined to be the cause of death.

The conclusion of the initial inquest took place following extensive testimonies from relevant authorities and community members, raising important issues and recommendations for future prevention of similar tragic incidents.

During the earlier inquest, detailed accounts of Sanderson’s history of incarcerations and psychological evaluations were shared, leading to recommendations for system reforms to enhance programming in correctional facilities and improve supervised release conditions.

Expected to run throughout the week in Saskatoon, the upcoming inquiry will delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding Sanderson’s arrest, detention, and subsequent medical distress that ultimately led to his passing in Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon.